New Year, New Improvements to Your Daily Drive!

Posted Jan 02, 2014 by Bert Brantley, Deputy Executive Director

Welcome to the New Year! As you put away the tinsel and settle back into everyday life, it’s the perfect time to reflect on years past and anticipate all that can be achieved in the one that lies ahead.

At SRTA, much was accomplished in 2013, but there is still more work to do. Our efforts to give Georgians and other travelers a more reliable trip and better mobility options are underway. Here’s an update on several transportation improvements that are slated to be completed this year!

Nearing its completion, the expanded Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) from McFarland Parkway to SR 20 on GA 400 is scheduled to be operational this month, improving mobility and safety in the corridor. You’ve seen ITS at work whenever you pass a High Emergency Response Operator (HERO) responding to an accident, accessed traveler information on 511 or seen a traffic message on the side of the road.

The I-85/GA 400 connector ramps are scheduled to open in February, with two new single-lane interchange ramps: one to serve I-85 southbound to GA 400 northbound traffic and one to serve GA 400 southbound to I-85 northbound traffic. These new ramps are projected to reduce traffic along local streets and to improve travel times and safety along impacted roadways.

This spring, the MARTA Buckhead Pedestrian Bridge is scheduled to open, reconnecting the east and west sides of the Buckhead community. The bridge will provide pedestrians direct access between Stratford Road and Tower Place Drive crossing over GA 400.

By December 2014, elements of Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) will be installed along SR 140 between Barnwell Road and SR 9/Alpharetta Street. These improvements are designed to reduce travel times for those accessing the GA 400/Holcomb Bridge Road interchange.

Ongoing projects along GA 400 for 2014 include GRTA Xpress bus service, expanded HERO service and completion of the GA 400 toll plaza demolition. 2014 is going to be another big year for transportation; we look forward to serving your traveling needs!